IN MEMORIAM: Canaveral Port Authority Chair, Retired Coast Guard Admiral Wayne Justice Passed Away Nov. 8

Served 11 years as a Port Canaveral Commissioner, including three times as Chairman

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Rear Admiral Wayne Edward Justice, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), 70, of Cocoa Beach, Florida, died peacefully on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida.

Admiral Justice was born in Seattle, Washington, raised in Staten Island, New York, but called Brevard County, Florida, his home. He was a proud graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Class of 1977, and played football on the Coast Guard Bears team.

Wayne was passionately proud of commitments to service, especially military members, first responders, and his beloved Coast Guard, and had an enduring enthusiasm to energize young people to carry the torch of service for their community and country.

Wayne’s dedication to inspiring the next generation of leaders was recognized by U.S. Senator Rick Scott, who appointed Wayne to serve on his selection committee for students seeking a Congressional appointment to our nation’s military academies.

While serving in the Coast Guard, Wayne most enjoyed his time at the White House and in Key West. Among the many roles and responsibilities he had throughout his military career, he loved commanding cutters. He also cherished carrying the “football” that contained the nuclear codes for Presidents H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Wayne was proud of his 2014 election to the Canaveral Port Authority, where he served for 11 consecutive years, including three times as Chairman.

He made many contributions to the Space Coast community, including promoting the space industry, the safety and benefits of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) as a marine fuel, the Brevard Zoo, and the importance of port security. He was also a tireless supporter of the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, an active member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and MOAA Cape Canaveral, and its Good Deeds Foundation.

Wayne was also a “baller.” Not only did he enjoy watching and supporting his New York Giants and New York Yankees, but you could find him on most Mondays and Thursdays playing basketball in the Old Farts Basketball League in Cocoa Beach, FL.

Wayne loved everything on the water, including boating, lobstering in the Florida Keys, a red sunset, and charbroiled oysters. Blessed with the gift of conversation, he could easily engage with anyone, telling stories of his endless adventures.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Justice Behrmann (Katie Behrmann); son, Michael Justice (Alexa Staubus); his aunt, Carol Justice; and his cousins, Anne Justice-Allen (Kelly), Susan Justice, and Roger Justice. He was proudly adopted days after birth and cherished his chosen families, the Chittenden Family, the Gautreaux Family, the Ribak Family, the Seddon Family, the Doughty Family, Roy Kimbel, Lauren Lewis (Christopher), Scott Sewall (Cindy Grant), Mad Max, and Jonathan Szul (Kelli and Kimberly), from whom he loved welcoming their first granddaughter in 2024. She lovingly called him “Master Wayne,” after Batman.

A private memorial service will be held on December 16, followed by a full military honors burial at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the MOAACC Good Deeds Foundation, PO Box 320358, Cocoa Beach, FL, 32932. Wayne was a founding member when it was established in 2014 and was endlessly passionate about its mission—helping active-duty military members and veterans in need, veteran support organizations, and military-oriented youth organizations such as JROTC.

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